Mayor Rahm Emanuel rocked Chicago media with a Tuesday announcement about his campaign future.

Despite launching campaign ads in the spring against mayoral candidate and former Chicago Police Department Superintendent Garry McCarthy, Mayor Emanuel announced he will not seek re-election for a third term.

The announcement came after months of criticism as several groups ofprotestors call for re-investment of Tax Increment Financing money for infrastructure improvements and a reduction in violence on the South and West sides. Demonstrators, who recently blocked the Dan Ryan and Kennedy expressways and Lake Shore Drive to advocate for their causes, also called for his removal from office.

Emanuel has served as Chicago’s mayor since 2011, and was re-elected in 2015 when he beat Jesús García in a runoff.

Mayoral candidates already vying for the job include former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas and Willie Wilson, a businessman who ran against Emanuel in 2015.

Correction 9/4/18 at 3 p.m.: A previous version of this article stated Emanuel beat García in 2011, when Emanuel defeated García during the 2015 election.